poor health, short-term supplement?
February 20, 2010 11:07 AM Subscribe
Need suggestions. for various reasons, my health is poor. (Male, 50) Am under doctor's care, and all is ok, but recovery/strength seems not to be happening. Doctor says this will take awhile.....patience; but I feel very run-down. Know I need to rebuild, but is there some kind of supplement that can assist (no one thing can do it all) short-term?
The supplement you're looking for is patience, just like your doctor said.
posted by sallybrown at 11:22 AM on February 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by sallybrown at 11:22 AM on February 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: yes, asked pointedly why this was dragging out; (he is a specialist, not general) and his answer seemed dismissive. Will return and seek nutritionist.
But you are right; sleep, liquids, good food, time.
posted by ebesan at 11:29 AM on February 20, 2010
But you are right; sleep, liquids, good food, time.
posted by ebesan at 11:29 AM on February 20, 2010
Patience is a virtue, but there's a certain fatalism and lack of agency implicit in the idea that patience is all that's called for here. Good on you for thinking about ways in which you can take more control over your own health.
There aren't any magic bullet dietary supplements, as I'm sure you probably have guessed. But here are some concrete suggestions for you (and I apologize if this just seems like common-sense stuff, but it's amazing how helpful following through on these simple steps can be in regaining and maintaining good health):
- If your diet could be better, take specific, deliberate steps to improve it. Eat more green things, more whole grains, less highly-refined carbs, and less red meat.
- Subject to the constraints imposed upon you by your poor health, increase your physical activity level. Try to be active for 30+ minutes each day. Go for a walk!
- If you smoke, stop. Stop stop stop. If you consume more than a modest amount of alcohol on a regular basis, try to lower your intake.
- Take a multivitamin every day. Centrum Silver is a good name brand for over 50s, but it really doesn't matter what brand you take.
- Take a B-complex vitamin as well. These are both helpful and protective in various ways, especially for older adults.
- Do you have a primary care doctor? Specialists tend to be brusque, and depending on the flavor of specialist, they can be downright dismissive and unpleasant. Go see your primary care doc, or find one if you don't have one, and make an appointment! A nurse practitioner may be a good alternative to an internist if you don't already have someone you go to; they tend to be a little more willing to spend time with you on lifestyle stuff than doctors usually are.
Feel better, and be well.
posted by killdevil at 11:49 AM on February 20, 2010
There aren't any magic bullet dietary supplements, as I'm sure you probably have guessed. But here are some concrete suggestions for you (and I apologize if this just seems like common-sense stuff, but it's amazing how helpful following through on these simple steps can be in regaining and maintaining good health):
- If your diet could be better, take specific, deliberate steps to improve it. Eat more green things, more whole grains, less highly-refined carbs, and less red meat.
- Subject to the constraints imposed upon you by your poor health, increase your physical activity level. Try to be active for 30+ minutes each day. Go for a walk!
- If you smoke, stop. Stop stop stop. If you consume more than a modest amount of alcohol on a regular basis, try to lower your intake.
- Take a multivitamin every day. Centrum Silver is a good name brand for over 50s, but it really doesn't matter what brand you take.
- Take a B-complex vitamin as well. These are both helpful and protective in various ways, especially for older adults.
- Do you have a primary care doctor? Specialists tend to be brusque, and depending on the flavor of specialist, they can be downright dismissive and unpleasant. Go see your primary care doc, or find one if you don't have one, and make an appointment! A nurse practitioner may be a good alternative to an internist if you don't already have someone you go to; they tend to be a little more willing to spend time with you on lifestyle stuff than doctors usually are.
Feel better, and be well.
posted by killdevil at 11:49 AM on February 20, 2010
We don't know why your health is poor, and you are not our patient, so we don't know what would improve or worse, exacerbate, your condition.
Doctors can be wrong and dismissive and irritating, but you should check with your doctor before you take any new steps. I agree with killdevil you should find an internist or nurse practitioner who is willing to give you the time and answers you deserve.
posted by sallybrown at 12:02 PM on February 20, 2010
Doctors can be wrong and dismissive and irritating, but you should check with your doctor before you take any new steps. I agree with killdevil you should find an internist or nurse practitioner who is willing to give you the time and answers you deserve.
posted by sallybrown at 12:02 PM on February 20, 2010
How is your hemoglobin? My doctor gave me a blood transfusion after a long illness/surgery, when my hemoglobin was a rather low. I had six weeks of fatigue, weakness and very slow recovery, but felt immediately better after the transfusion. Not 100%, but much, much better than before.
posted by kimdog at 12:02 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by kimdog at 12:02 PM on February 20, 2010
You know it might help to know what (you and your doctor) think is actually wrong with you if we are to have any hope of giving you any advice. A bit more detail please.
posted by drpynchon at 12:16 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by drpynchon at 12:16 PM on February 20, 2010
Response by poster: Attack of colitis. Loss of blood. Prednizone therapy finished.
Don't believe in magic pills, just impatient; and curious about boosting/nudging recovery.
(Doc is not communicative; he is Primary too)
posted by ebesan at 12:28 PM on February 20, 2010
Don't believe in magic pills, just impatient; and curious about boosting/nudging recovery.
(Doc is not communicative; he is Primary too)
posted by ebesan at 12:28 PM on February 20, 2010
In my (third-party) experience, Prednisone is nasty stuff. So is colitis.
Eat well, sleep, exercise -- even just walking -- and your basic drugstore multivitamin. And patience.
posted by kestrel251 at 12:32 PM on February 20, 2010
Eat well, sleep, exercise -- even just walking -- and your basic drugstore multivitamin. And patience.
posted by kestrel251 at 12:32 PM on February 20, 2010
Loss of blood
Has your iron saturation been checked? Thyroid? If your basic bloodwork is off (only your doctor knows for sure!) all the OTC supplements/vitamins in the world aren't going to do a thing except create expensive, neon pee.
posted by availablelight at 1:02 PM on February 20, 2010
Has your iron saturation been checked? Thyroid? If your basic bloodwork is off (only your doctor knows for sure!) all the OTC supplements/vitamins in the world aren't going to do a thing except create expensive, neon pee.
posted by availablelight at 1:02 PM on February 20, 2010
With the area of your affliction, chances are you 'll need to replenish your colon with 'friendly bacteria'. In fact, a run-of-the-mill antibiotic taken for any reason messes up the intestinal balance, and it sounds like your digestive system has been through alot of trauma. A nice strong liquid probiotic with acidophilus, a couple of teaspoons several times a day, will put your balance back in line. Otherwise, the yeastie beasties will wreak havok on all systems of your body. (Been there, suffered that. Not fun. ) Patience is a virtue; probiotics are vital!
posted by sparrowdance at 1:19 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by sparrowdance at 1:19 PM on February 20, 2010
I'm a fan of food-based supplements and have been extremely happy with the company I use now. I haven't been sick but a good friend who had major surgery last summer was absolutely amazed at how much his health, energy and overall well-being improved when he started using the supplement program.
Because I don't wish to shill on the green, if you want to know more, drop me a MeMail and I'll send you a link to check out.
posted by fenriq at 2:18 PM on February 20, 2010
Because I don't wish to shill on the green, if you want to know more, drop me a MeMail and I'll send you a link to check out.
posted by fenriq at 2:18 PM on February 20, 2010
I have NO idea if this would actually be indicated in your situation, but what with feeling rundown (and perhaps colitis may interfere with absorption? Not sure, just guessing...) but maybe B-12 injections would be something to look into. A deficiency is something that could be tested for.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 2:20 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 2:20 PM on February 20, 2010
are you exercising? this gives you energy/strength at any age. walking is good. From your question it sounds like you might not be. If you're not moving around much, of course you'll feel run down. good luck.
posted by sninctown at 3:05 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by sninctown at 3:05 PM on February 20, 2010
Ask for a physical therapist. Physical therapists can work with you to get you started on strengthening exercises, advise on the physiology of exercise, and help you build a program for your self. Definitely exercise. Even just walking for a few minutes a day can help build you strength and stamina. If you are starting from zero, then try walking for two minutes away from the house, and then 2 minutes back. (Or three back if you are more tired on the return trip). Do that for a few days, then make it 3 minutes out, and build it up gradually. It will help.
If you are already getting some mild exercise, the advice above does not apply. But ask to see a therapist anyway. They are great.
posted by SLC Mom at 4:57 PM on February 20, 2010
If you are already getting some mild exercise, the advice above does not apply. But ask to see a therapist anyway. They are great.
posted by SLC Mom at 4:57 PM on February 20, 2010
I recommend lots of Vitamin D and Magnesium (ZMA) for general health. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe store nearby, go there, they will hook you up with everything. Remember to tell your doctor if you decide to take any supplements.
posted by Theloupgarou at 5:03 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by Theloupgarou at 5:03 PM on February 20, 2010
Not quite your age, but the hospital gave me Boost drinks while under recovery. Still taking them. Something to check-out, there's a few varieties, based on taste, and whether carb or protein enhanced.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 12:09 AM on February 21, 2010
posted by hungrysquirrels at 12:09 AM on February 21, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 11:20 AM on February 20, 2010